Sure, they taste great in burritos, but what else do they do?: The Ultimate Black Beans Quiz

You might enjoy a dish with black beans now and then, but do you know where they were first grown or how many calories are in a single serving? Find out these answers -- and many more -- by taking this black bean quiz.

Black beans are believed to have been domesticated more than 7,000 years ago in the area that is now Peru in South America.

Brazil

Question 3 of 20

What group of people first introduced black beans to the rest of the world?

Spanish explorers

Spanish explorers brought black beans with them when they returned to Europe, and these tasty dark legumes became known around the world shortly thereafter.

Peruvian civilians

English settlers

Question 4 of 20

True or false: Black beans have a long shelf life.

true

Due to the fact that black beans are harvested and dried, they can be kept on the shelf for long periods of time without spoiling.

false

It all depends on the brand.

Question 5 of 20

Black beans are a good source of what nutrient?

vitamin A

vitamin C

protein

A 1-cup serving of black beans provides 15 grams of protein.

Question 6 of 20

Which health benefit is widely associated with the fiber found in black beans?

increased stamina

improved digestion

Because of black beans have a high fiber content, they help keep the digestive tract and the colon clean, clear and regular.

increased libido

Question 7 of 20

Regular consumption of black beans can help people suffering from which disease?

diabetes

The fiber found in black beans helps regulate blood sugar levels after a meal is finished, so it's a great food for people suffering from diabetes.

gout

hepatitis

Question 8 of 20

The high fiber found in black beans helps reduce what in the body?

iron

antibodies

cholesterol

The dietary fiber found in black beans binds to bile acids and flushes them from the body, lowering cholesterol levels.

Question 9 of 20

True or false: Black beans are believed to help fight heart disease.

true

Black beans contain high levels of antioxidants, and studies show that these antioxidants can help fight heart disease by deflecting free radicals.

false

It's unknown whether black beans fight heart disease or not.

Question 10 of 20

In 2007, what country produced the most beans, including black beans?

Brazil

Brazil produced more than 3.2 million metric tons of beans, making it the top bean producer in 2007.

Chile

Venezuela

Question 11 of 20

What other name are black beans known by?

black diamond beans

black turtle beans

Black beans are commonly referred to as black turtle beans, most likely due to their shiny, shell-like appearance.

black pebble beans

Question 12 of 20

What nutrient is not naturally found in black beans?

iron

sodium

In a world filled with high-sodium foods, a great benefit of black beans is that they are naturally sodium-free. Canned black beans, however, are often packed with added sodium.

carbohydrates

Question 13 of 20

There are approximately how many calories in 1 cup of black beans?

120

220

No need to cut back on black beans to lower your daily caloric intake; 1 cup has only 220 calories.

320

Question 14 of 20

Black beans grow best when they’re planted during which part of the year?

end of spring

Unlike other kinds of beans, black beans grow best when they're planted in late spring. The season's warm weather and rains strengthen the plant.

end of summer

end of winter

Question 15 of 20

Before cooking dry black beans, how long should you soak them in water?

1 hour

12 hours

It’s recommended that you soak black beans in water for about 12 hours to help reduce cooking time.

24 hours

Question 16 of 20

In which seasons are black beans readily available?

spring, summer and fall

fall, winter and spring

all of the above

Both canned and dried black beans are available year-round, making them easily accessible and available throughout all four seasons.

Question 17 of 20

Black beans are extremely popular in which region?

the Caribbean

the southern United States

both of the above

Black beans are particularly popular in the Caribbean and the southern United States. Of course, they are also commonly eaten in the central U.S. and throughout South America.

Question 18 of 20

Dried black beans should be stored in airtight containers at what temperature?

70 degrees Fahrenheit or below

Black beans will be good for up to one year if stored in an airtight container is a space that remains 70 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler.

75 degrees Fahrenheit or below

80 degrees Fahrenheit or below

Question 19 of 20

In 2007 and 2008, what was the top destination for exported black beans from the United States?

Mexico

According to the Economic Research Service, black beans were one of the top five classes of dry beans exported during 2007 and 2008, with 78 million pounds exported to Mexico, 7 million pounds to Venezuela and 5 million pounds to Haiti, totaling $33 million in value.

Chile

Peru

Question 20 of 20

What's a good way to lower canned black beans' sodium content?

Place them under running water.

Canned foods are often high in sodium, and black beans are no exception. Luckily, all you need to do to lower their sodium content is place the beans under running water. (Yes, this works for other canned foods, too.)